Monoclonal antibodies directed against a novel pathogenic west African human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) group F isolate

Abstract

Isolated monoclonal antibodies that bind to HIV-2 isolate NWK08F are provided. In some embodiments, the antibodies bind a polypeptide comprising the HIV-2NWK08F Env, Pol, or Nef proteins, or fragments thereof, respectively. Antigen-binding fragments and humanized versions of the antibody are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An isolated monoclonal antibody, or fragment thereof, that specifically binds to a human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) deposited as HIV-2NWK08F, wherein the antibody does not specifically bind to a polypeptide with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
       2. The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or fragment thereof binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, or SEQ ID NO:6, or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
       3. The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is humanized. 
     
     
       4. The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the fragment is selected from the group consisting of Fab, F(abγ) 2 , Fv, single chain antibodies (scFv), and domain antibodies (dAbs). 
     
     
       5. A composition for detecting HIV-2NWK08F polypeptides comprising the antibody of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       6. A monoclonal antibody specific for an HIV-2NWK08F polypeptide produced by a method comprising:
 a. immunizing a mammal with an HIV-2NWK08F polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, or SEQ ID NO:6, or an immunogenic fragment thereof; 
 b. isolating immunized splenocytes from said mammal; 
 c. fusing the immunized splenocytes with a myeloma cell line to produce hybridomas; 
 d. selecting for the hybridomas by culturing in selective media; 
 e. clonally expanding the hybridomas in appropriate culture media; and, 
 f. identifying and characterizing those hybridomas that produce monoclonal antibodies specific for an HIV-2NWK08F polypeptide. 
 
     
     
       7. The antibody of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody is humanized. 
     
     
       8. The antibody of  claim 2 , wherein the fragment is selected from the group consisting of Fab, F(abγ) 2 , Fv, single chain antibodies (scFv), and domain antibodies (dAbs). 
     
     
       9. A composition for detecting HIV-2NWK08F polypeptides comprising the antibody of  claim 2 . 
     
     
       10. The antibody of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or fragment thereof binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
       11. The antibody of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or fragment thereof binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
       12. The antibody of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or fragment thereof binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, or a fragment thereof.